6 arrested in fight at Ferndale school

FERNDALE – A large fight at the school district’s Digital Learning Center led to the arrest of six teenage students and the school was kept on lockdown for the rest of the day.

Police are also seeking to charge a seventh student who fled.

The fight broke out in the main hallway Thursday morning at the alternative high school, 427 Allen, and a woman who works as an administrator suffered a minor injury in the melee, police said.

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“The fight reportedly started as the result of students taunting each other,” Ferndale Police Lt. William Wilson said in a statement Friday. “Administrators and staff in the school contained the fight.”

Order had been restored by the time police arrived and school officials said all students involved in the fight have been suspended.

“The skill our … staff demonstrated in diffusing the fight so quickly was exceptional,” said Deputy Superintendent Henry Gold. “The dedicated support we received from the Ferndale Police Department was greatly appreciated.”

Five of the arrested students are adults, ages 17 to 19. The other is a juvenile and his case will be handled in juvenile court.

Police are also seeking a warrant against seventh student, 19, who fled the school building before police arrived.

The adult students face misdemeanor charges of assault and/or disturbing the peace. Three were released the day they were arrested after posting $500 bond each. The other two were arraigned Friday in Ferndale 43rd District Court.